Distant kin of star families are now joining the B-Town bandwagon

These upcoming actors may not be offsprings of Bollywood stars, but they belong to film families. Does the blood bond help them get better access or does it work against them? We find out

Apart from star sons, daughters and siblings, B-town also has a plethora of extended family members stepping onto the starry path now. Nephews, nieces and other kin of B-town celebs are now entering Bollywood — while some have their famous folks supporting them, the others don’t. Either way, more extended family members are now joining the Bollywood bandwagon. Here’s taking a look at some of them...

Son of Raj Kapoor’s daughter Reema Jain, Armaan’s star cousins include Karisma, Kareena and Ranbir while Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv are his star uncles. He makes his B-Town debut in Arif Ali’s Lekar Hum Deewana Dil. Armaan began as an assistant to Karan Johar on the sets of My Name Is Khan (2010) and he later assisted KJo on Student of the Year as well.

Karisma, Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor

He always wanted to be an actor. At the music launch of the film, he said, “This is my first step. I am listening to my voice on the microphone for the first time. I know there will be a lot of comparisons, but I have to prove myself.”

Mohit Marwah

Mohit Marwah and Sonam Kapoor

As the son of Reena Marwah, who is Boney, Anil and Sanjay Kapoor’s sister, Mohit’s star cousins include Sonam Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. He features in this week’s release, Fugly. During the film’s promotions, he had said, “Yes, they are family, but I have gone through the usual route of auditioning for roles.”

Akshay Oberoi

Akshay Oberoi and Vivek Oberoi

He is Vivek Oberoi’s cousin; his father Krishan and Vivek’s dad, Suresh Oberoi, are brothers. Akshay features in the upcoming thriller, Pizza 3D, and was earlier seen in American Chai (2002) and in Isi Life Main (2010). He has trained in acting in the US and Imran Khan is his best buddy.

Akshay says, “It is an honour to be part of a family with such talented actors, but I have gotten all my projects on my own merit and that’s exactly how I wanted it to be.”

Akhil Kapoor

Akhil Kapur and Vinod Khanna

He is Vinod Khanna’s sister Poonam’s son. Akshaye and Rahul Khanna’s cousin will make his Bollywood debut in Anand Kumar’s film, Desi Kattey.

Akhil says, “It is up to you at the end of the day. It is all about your talent and luck. The family link is an add-on, but it doesn’t give you sure-shot success. Look at Nawazuddin Siddiqui, he is a star today and had zero backing. At times, one’s family name only adds to the load of expectations.”

Over two years ago, Akhil was to be launched with Govinda’s daughter Narmada in Lovely Singh’s Tutak Tutak Tutiya. When Narmada’s long–in-the planning film with boxer Vijender Singh did not take off, the film was rechristened and the makers cast Akhil as her hero. However, the film was stuck again.

Akhil then decided to study at the New York Film Institute. He assisted Reema Kagti on Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd.

Pooja and Bhavna Ruparel

Their mother Sunita is Sonakshi Sinha’s mother Punam’s sister. Pooja is best remembered as Chutki in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995) and was seen in Anil Kapoor’s TV show 24 where she played an aide of a minister’s family. Pooja’s sister Bhavna Ruparel too is an actress; she was seen in the 2012 film, Chal Pichchur Banate Hain, besides doing Telugu films.

Says Bhavna, “We are proud of what Sonakshi has done. She has always been clear about what she wants to do. She is doing her thing and we are doing ours. If she had to help anyone, she would naturally put her brothers (Luv and Kush) first.”